The Wanted have paid tribute to their bandmate Tom Parker after he died at the age of 33 from brain cancer.
Parker announced that he had terminal cancer in October 2020, and appeared on stage with the band as recently as last month.
Formed in 2009, The Wanted saw Parker star alongside Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Nathan Sykes and Jay McGuiness on hits like ‘Chasing the Sun’, ‘All Time Low’, and ‘Glad You Came’.
His former bandmates reacted to the news on Instagram, posting: “Max, Jay, Siva, Nathan and the whole Wanted family are devastated by the tragic and premature loss of our bandmate Tom Parker, who passed away peacefully at lunchtime today surrounded by his family and his band mates.
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“Tom was an amazing husband to Kelsey, and father to Aurelia and Bodhi.
“He was our brother, words can’t express the loss and sadness we feel.
“Always and forever in our hearts.”
Parker married his wife Kelsey Hardwick in 2018, and the pair have two children, Aurelia Rose – born in 2019 – and Bodhi – born last October.
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On Instagram, Kelsey wrote: "Our hearts are broken.
"Tom was the centre of our world. We can't imagine life without his infectious smile and energetic presence.
"We are truly thankful for the outpouring of love and support and ask that we all unite to ensure Tom's light continues to shine for his beautiful children.
"Thank you to everyone who has supported in his care throughout, he fought until the very end. I'm forever proud of you."
Only last week, Parker announced he had written a book called Hope, which is set to be released soon.
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“My book is not about dying: It’s a book about living," he wrote. "It’s a book about finding hope in whatever situation you’re dealt, and living your best life no matter what."
Speaking about his diagnosis in 2020, Parker said that he was in ‘complete shock’.
"I knew something wasn't right, but I never expected it to be this," he said. "You never think this will happen to you."
However, the situation seemed to have improved last November, when he announced the tumour was ‘under control’ after rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy aimed at prolonging his life.
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On Instagram, he said: "I'm sat here with tears in my eyes as I tell you. We've got my brain tumour under control.
"We had the results from my latest scan...and I'm delighted to say it is STABLE. Such a mix of emotions... Thank you for all your love and support over the last 12+ months."
Tom Wood